Rennie Pearson
& guests Sionna (R18)
Saturday 15th April 2023
Fáilte - Welcome - Kia Ora
It will be my great pleasure to welcome you to Ōpuke, Mt Hutt, Methven for this celebration of Irish music & culture which will be held on 14th to 16th April 2023. We are honoured to be hosting H.E Ms Jane Connolly, Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand at this event together with other dignitaries from the Ashburton District.
We are so lucky to have so many talented traditional Irish musicians travelling to this event from all over Aotearoa, New Zealand. We look forward to extending a céad míle fáilte, one hundred thousand welcomes to you.
Ngā Mihi
Mise le meas,
Lorcan Bolster
Musical Director
Lorcan Bolster
Musical Director
The Ōpuke Gathering
Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, Methven - April 2023
Friday - Cruinniu Gathering Event
Our guest of honour will be H.E Ms Jane Connolly, Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand
Mt Hutt Memorial Hall - 5.30pm
Cruinniu - Gathering
IBNNZ, the Irish Business Network of New Zealand and The Tara Trust would like to invite you to a very special evening.
Ireland is fortunate to enjoy special ties of kinship and history with Aotearoa New Zealand and with the many Cantabrians of Irish heritage. Join us for a special evening celebration including traditional Irish music performances, networking, nibbles and a charity auction.
Our guest of honour will be H.E Ms Jane Connolly, Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand and dignitaries from
Ashburton District Council.
Charity Auction
This event will include an auction of sporting memorabilia and artwork with all proceeds being donated to The Tara Trust. The Tara Trust is a registered charity and exists to support the Irish Community in New Zealand through its support of Irish arts, culture and the welfare of the Irish diaspora.
Saturday - Events & Workshops
Jr Cultúr Club
Mt Hutt Memorial Hall from 12.00pm
Cultúr, craic and ceol. Culture, fun and music. A mixture of indoor and outdoor activities including Music, Storytelling, Irish Language and Art and Gaelic Games with Helen Fahy.
Helen is originally from Galway in Ireland, having settled here in Christchurch in 2012. Helen is an actor and muisician has performed in “Once” at The Court Theatre in 2021, as well as performing with Elmwood players, North Canterbury Musical Society and Showbiz Christchurch to name but a few..
Cultúr Club is open to children aged 6 to 12 years old. Your children don't have to be Irish to attend!
Session 1) 12.00 - 1.45pm (Guide 6 - 8 years)
Session 2) 2.00 - 3.45pm - (Guide 9 - 12 years
Learn The Tin Whistle
Wareings Theatre @ 2pm
The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. This workshop will teach you the basics of playing and gift you your very own whistle
Gaelic Games
Methven Rugby Club @ 3pm
The Martin Cadden Cup celebrates one of our own. Martin came from the parish of Loughduff in Mullahoran, Co Cavan and tragically died in a road traffic accident in 2015.
Each year we gather in Methven to celebrate and remember Martin. Join us for a live game of Gaelic Football and the presentation of the Martin Cadden Cup.
Language Workshop
Wareings Theatre @ 4.00pm
Free Event
Join
Diarmaid Coffey of Chronradh na Gaeilge to learn a couple of words, cúpla focal of the Irish language. We'll be hoping to strengthen links with the language on the other side of the world!
Rennie Pearson
& guests Sionna
Wareings Theatre @ 5.30pm
R18 - Ticketed Event
Grounded in the Celtic musical traditions, Rennie takes the listener on a journey through history, weaving together tunes and songs and the tales that accompany them to create an intricate and varied show. His engaging stage presence and storytelling opens the door for audiences to connect with the music, which he plays on the wooden flute,guitar, Irish tin whistles, bodhran, fiddle and voice.
Sionna are a Irish Traditional Music duo consisting of Helen (from Galway on fiddle) Lorcan (from Limerick on bouzouki and guitar). Fast reels and driving jigs intersperse with folk songs from back home, both old and new.
Céilí Irish Dance
Main Auditorium @ 7.30pm
R18 - Free Event
A Ceili (traditional Irish dance) from the Irish (and Scots) Gaelic word for a gathering or a dance. If you want to come along and join in dances to some fantastic live Irish music, please join us. No previous dance experience necessary - we will teach dances. This is dancing at its best - fun, community activity and great exercise too. Come on your own (no partner necessary) or bring your friends and family. R18 Event.
Sunday - Irish traditional music session
Live at The Dubliner from 2pm - free event
Join some of Aotearoa New Zealand's finest musicians for an afternoon of Irish traditional music at the multi award winning Dubliner Irish Bar & Restaurant.
The Ōpuke Gathering
Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, Methven - April 2023
Event Venue
The Ōpuke Gathering will be centred on The Mt Hutt Memorial Hall and Conference Centre located right in the centre of town.
